We have all had our eyes opened by the recent findings of the Royal Commission into institutions and their treatment of children and the revelations uncovered by the Royal Commission into the Banks and Financial institutions has brought to light large-scale misconduct and corruption.

On average Australians sit for around 10 hours a day, yet a variety of major international research studies in recent years have produced compelling evidence that sitting for more than 4 hours each day leads to changes in the body.

This beautiful maroon/creamy coloured vegetable, looks like a cabbage but it doesn’t taste like one. Its flavour packs a bitter punch and is one of the most misunderstood vegetables. It is not a cabbage nor a lettuce.

In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used for its strengthening and warming properties. It has been used for centuries to improve digestion, eliminate worms, relieve gas and cleanse and strengthen the liver and gallbladder

Patients are sent regular, fresh dispenses of their BHRT at intervals set to coincide with when they should be running short and be due for a new supply. There will, of course, be the odd occasion when a small build up occurs.

Throughout peri-menopause your oestrogen and progesterone levels become unpredictable. These levels change on a daily and monthly basis affecting not only your energy, but your mental clarity, moods and other symptoms.

When we think of fibre, we don’t often think of consuming the ground-up bark of a tree! We often think about delicious and crunchy vegetables and forget about the abundance of other fibres we have at our disposal.

Food can be a medicine for your hormones. Specific foods can affect chemical processes within the body. They can reduce excessive production of oestrogens, stimulating hormone detoxification and clearance

Hormone replacement therapy has not really been safe for all women. Those who were prescribed oestrogen derived from the urine of pregnant horses combined with synthetic progestins were not necessarily on safe medication.

We are constantly bombarded with amazing and sad stories about people who overcome or succumb to terrible illnesses, but rarely do we hear about those inspiring people who are actively preventing illness.

Whilst summer often comes with a heightened thirst sensation, winter has the opposite effect, and many can simply ‘forget’ to drink water. Winter is also a time for numerous hot drinks, with the most common ones – green tea, black tea and coffee – being dehydrating.

Juices have been popularised of late for their health benefit and the hype isn’t too short of the mark. Juicing is a fantastic way to ensure you’re consuming your daily requirements of both vegetables and fruit

I saw your website last night and wonder if you could help my younger sister who is suffering from depression since she has her ovary removed in February 2016. She is still 45 and she had her ovary removed for ovary cyst and the surgery was successful.

Stress has the power to stop you eating, make you gain weight, interrupt your sleep or stop you from getting to sleep in the first place, break your relationships, reduce your work quality, make you depressed, make you paranoid, reduce your energy and reduce your quality of life.

Did you know that Australia has more than 30 private insurers, and that these insurers offer more than 20,000 products through their policies, and that many of these products are unnecessary and will never be used.

Women complain of either diminished or absent sexual desire or, reduced sexual function and gratification. The reasons as to why libido declines with age are plentiful however, the main cause tends to be attributed to declining hormone levels.

You have no idea the number of times during the day we receive questions from patients about bio-identical hormones and that they have been told by their respective health professionals or others that they are inferior

If you are still menstruating, you need to keep an eye on your iron levels and ensure you are getting enough. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you need to be extra careful, and ensure you are getting this vital mineral.

Whilst Metagenics remain our preferred practitioner only supplements, for those who want an alternative, which does not need to be specifically prescribed the Australian Menopause Centre recommend Ethical Nutrients.

Relaxation techniques also have a positive effect on our mental state. In one study involving 80 older adults in China, patients were taught muscle relaxation and meditation methods. Improvements in both sleep and cognitive function were observed.

A friend of mine, who’s my age, recently said that the things he could do all night when he was younger can now take him all night to do. I’m grateful to be in very good health and can’t image how difficult it would be to battle a chronic illness while ageing.

Christmas is upon us and we’re all gearing up for what is quite often called, the silly season. It’s a time where we consume copious amounts of food and alcoholic beverages whilst we spend time with family.

At the end of each year we all have the best intentions yet usually set ourselves herculean tasks for the New Year that even the most draconian of people would fail at. This year be kind to yourself, choose one or two resolutions that you KNOW you can stick to for the entire year.

Just because the experts say it is good and the TGA has approved it, does not make it safe. Why should we believe same old ‘experts’ who time and again prove that they are in the pay of the pharmaceutical companies?

Throughout peri-menopause your oestrogen and progesterone levels become unpredictable. These levels change on a daily and monthly basis affecting not only your energy, but your mental clarity, moods and other symptoms.

urinary incontinence begins to occur after childbirth and this often worsens as women progress into perimenopause and then menopause. Initially, women often experience lack of bladder control, especially upon sneezing or laughing.

Stress sometimes can be something that is difficult to identify or hard to remove from our lives – especially when the stress comes in the form of a relationship. Identifying which relationships “give you energy”.

More than 70 per cent of incontinence sufferers are women and many experience problems during pregnancy, after childbirth and menopause. Obesity, diabetes and even heart conditions can be contributing factors.

Our newsletter is sent monthly to more than 65,000 people. We have been operating successfully since the beginning of 2003. We are constantly expanding our knowledge and expertise through research and education

Poor sleep is the second commonest symptom of the perimenopause and menopause just behind hot flushes and the above scenario is being repeated nightly all over Australia and the rest of the world when the sun disappears.

Firstly, he immediately set a date to come into the Pyrmont studios at 0200 in the morning to talk with me and to take questions live from my talkback listeners for an hour on-air, instead of taking the easier option.

I wish the Australian Menopause Centre was around to help me back then. It all started when my periods stopped at around 47 years of age and seemed to continue on and off for another ten years or more.

While acupuncture is an ancient medicinal practice, it offers therapeutic benefits and has very few side effects, making it safe to use for most women. In fact, studies have proven the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women.

The main roles of our adrenal glands are to allow us to cope with stress and let’s face it, stress is experienced daily, in varying degrees and is ultimately inevitable; DHEA a steroid hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and aids in the secondary production of oestrogen and testosterone

Are you familiar with the Rhodope Mountain Range in Bulgaria? Most likely, no. For me, Bulgaria had been on my “to go” list for a few years and as I have a very active husband and we both have a love of the outdoors

This highlights what I have been saying now for almost 15 years. Many doctors cannot decide how to treat a patient particularly when it comes to menopause unless they have a directive, guideline or cheat sheet

Our bodies are constantly under attack by many pathogens, be it viruses, bacteria, fungi etc. Each time the immune system successfully destroys a pathogen, it is remembered and if the same pathogen enters the body again, it is quickly destroyed

Has anyone seen in some newspapers or perhaps on one of the evening current affairs programs on TV recently about the shortage of certain HRT products? There is a shortage of Estradot and Estalis patches. What does this mean?

While the modern-day metric conversion of; ‘A gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure’, doesn’t quite have the same ring to it; the sentiment is definitely still the same. The main reason I try and live by this saying is because I’m allergic to most antibiotics so it’s imperative for me to fortify my immune system leading up to winter

The “winter blues”, also known as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), is characterized by mild depression, lack of motivation, and low energy that affects 1 in every 300 Australians during this cold season.

So there is a shortage of Estradot and Estalis patches. What does this mean? It means that thousands of women are without their medication and are left to suffer the dreadful symptoms associated with menopause.

Oysters are 50% protein, 26% fat and rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Their high protein content makes them great for weight loss, and the rich omega 3 content makes them excellent for brain health and joint pains.

Has your GP or gynaecologist jumped on the bandwagon? Do they use sentences like, “unregulated, unapproved compounded hormonal preparations”? Chances are you may hear this more and more. Don’t blame your Gyno or GP

This article will provide an explanation of some of the key changes that your body may experience during this phase, and offers suggestions for ways in which you can look after your health postmenopause.

Australia has some of the highest and most vigilantly monitored standards for supplements in the world. Supplements in Australia are regulated as medicines, not dietary supplements, and as such, company manufacturing facilities are required to meet audit standards.

In 2016, new findings by the Institute of Cancer Research suggested the original risk of HRT-induced breast cancer had been underestimated, and that women are actually 2.7 times more likely to develop cancer.

Research gives us a lot of ‘take away’ information we can use to better our physical and mental health, so pay attention! Did you know, for example, that it’s possible to boost your mood significantly.

Perimenopause means ‘around menopause’, and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause. It’s generally considered the most noticeable stage of the menopause process, yet many women fail to realise what perimenopause really is.

During our 26 day kick starter we see an average of 5-7kg lost, along with a change in habits, body shape and behaviour. At the end of the 26 days we find that you gain a better understanding of your appetite cues.

You are paying for a Treatment Program that gives you access to some of the best qualified people in the country to help you with your hormonal and natural health requirements. The medication is part of what you pay.

When menopause occurs before the age of 40 it’s considered early or premature menopause. Affecting almost one in 10 women, early menopause can be be emotionally heartbreaking for those looking to start or continue their family.

Until recently, scurvy was deemed to be extremely rare and a disease that only occurred during the era of the crusaders and in developing countries. Alarmingly, it has now re-emerged in developed countries and is now right on our door step, in Australia.

Studies show that a lack of sleep can lead to decreased function in the daytime, with lack of concentration, irritability, and a weaker immune system common symptoms. For women going through menopause, this can have devastating effects, as quality sleep can be a rarity.

1 out of 8 women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and every dollar raised will assist researchers in their efforts to find improved treatment outcomes and eventually find a cure.

For years many believed and some still do that there is no such thing as Stress. In fact, back when I was a regular on TV’s Beauty & the Beast, my fellow panellists and I would often debate long and hard with ‘Beast’ Stan Zemanek about it.

When looking at Beetroot in the context of exercise, the portion of the vegetable we’re concerned about is the root. Beetroot contains one of the highest levels of nitrate when compared to other vegetables. The nitrate content is determined by many environmental factors

When I feel like something savoury, instead of eating high-fat potato chips or nuts, or loading up on high GI carbs, like rice crackers, I’ve found a healthy alternative – home-made kale or kalette chips.

Bloating is one of the most frequently experienced symptoms of menopause. It can affect any menopausal woman, but is more likely in those who experienced bloating when suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or in those that are overweight.

When Anna Godbersen wrote Bright Young Things, she clearly wasn’t writing about menopause. There’s nothing “effervescent and free” about hot flushes, nothing “miraculous” about a racing heartbeat and night sweats.

Lipoic acid is thought to protect the structure and hence the function, of the cell membrane insulin receptors, and thus helps with insulin response. In type 2 diabetes mellitus it is the communication between the insulin molecule, and the insulin receptor that is the characteristic downfall

Recently a large health fund who I would like to name but refrain from doing only because a number of AMC patients are currently members of that fund, deliberately misled its members by writing to them blaming the government for their lack of providing a rebate on bio-identical hormones.

One of the most irritating problems associated with menopause is vaginal dryness and itching. Not only can it be extremely uncomfortable but it can be tricky if you suffer an uncontrollable bout of itching when you’re in public.

At the Australian Menopause Centre we have developed three detox programs that focus on supporting the body, enhancing health and changing habits. All of our detox programs come with Naturopathically chosen supplements, dietary and lifestyle advice, and regular Naturopathic support.

In Australia the terms legumes and pulses are generally used interchangeably. Technically speaking, pulses are the edible seeds from the plants in the legume family and coupled with legumes, they are fast becoming one of Australia’s proud, home grown, success stories.

AMC would like to announce our new Ambassador, Susie Elelman. Some of the many hats Susie has worn throughout her impressive media career spanning 4 decades include author, TV presenter, radio broadcaster, reporter and producer.

Eating organic may seem out of reach for some. Whether it is the price tag that too often accompanies the organic produce, or the early morning farmers’ market runs that make organic eating not quite practical, Fear no more!

Due to the decrease in hormonal levels, a woman may feel vulnerable to a host of negative emotions, including feeling older and less attractive. Men, on the other hand, feel confused about what they should do to help their partners cope better with the changes brought about by menopause.

Quite often, dairy is placed in the spotlight as being the best source of absorbable calcium however this is not entirely accurate. There are a multitude of different food sources that also provide an adequate amount.

In most cases, the medication that is prescribed by the Doctors at AMC are what is known as S4 medication and can only be obtained by a suitable script from a Registered Doctor. Such medication has been prescribed for our patients based on a medical history.

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia with 1 in 8 females (13%) reporting an anxiety related condition in the 2014-15 period. Women are more likely to experience anxiety than men are.

Whilst there is no magical pill that can ‘turn off’ anxiety, there are multiple avenues that anxiety can be addressed through.
It is important to identify and source what may be feeding or exacerbating your anxiety so that the stimulant, or aggravating factors, can be addressed.

Whilst some may say that oestrogen used for anti-aging is somewhat controversial, no one seems to worry about the unregulated beauty industry that allows the use of Botox fillers and other possibly dangerous chemicals

Hormones play a vital role in many physiological processes. Women heading through menopause are well aware of this. Did you know that your hormones play a significant part in the suppleness and youthfulness of your skin?

It’s estimated that 70% of women who are at the ‘menopausal age’ work, therefore if you’re struggling to manage day-to-day business, you’re far from alone. Yet despite the high numbers of working women experiencing menopause, because of the nature of this age-associated stage of life, it’s often something women feel reluctant or embarrassed to talk about.

Mushrooms are a nutrient, mineral and vitamin dense fungi that is surrounded by folklore, phobias and delicious recipes. A ring of these edible fungi are believed to be either a portal to another dimension, or a dance floor for our small fairy friends.

Multiple media outlets have jumped on the bandwagon in dismissing the effectiveness and credibility of supplements. The debate surrounding supplements and their safety has been around for many years and recently, the main point has been missed.

This term could be applied to the plight of horses that are kept in a state of pregnancy in order to produce oestrogen that is used to create HRT. What happens to the foals? You guessed it, they are either destroyed or the females are often kept and raised to adulthood where they are impregnated

As menopausal women are the greatest sufferers of osteoporosis, it is important to assess your calcium intake and bone density and if calcium supplementation is required, calcium hydroxyapatite is believed to be the best form for your bone health.

No one likes to feel tired and stressed all the time, especially when they haven’t had adequate sleep. But for many people this is an everyday reality, and it can happen when you suffer from adrenal fatigue.

Visiting a doctor regularly for routine checks should be a priority for all women, but there are certain times in your life when visiting the treating doctor that specialises in hormonal imbalances can help you better manage lifestyle changes.

In addition to experiencing hot flushes during the day, many women can also suffer from them while asleep, known as night sweats. This can be a major nuisance, as night sweats interrupt your sleep and make you feel very uncomfortable.
Keep reading to learn more about this menopausal symptom, and find out how to control it.

Toxic chemicals are everywhere, and while exposure can be difficult to avoid, there are some tips and tricks that you can implement in your home to help ensure you’re living in the best environment possible.

Sleep is essential to living. Whether you have noticed it or not, poor sleep can affect your energy, moods, motivation, appetite and more. Sleep is essential to living, yet it is often the first thing we sacrifice.

Chronic stress is the most under-rated illness we are exposed to, in my opinion. Stress has the power to stop you eating, make you gain weight, interrupt your sleep or stop you from getting to sleep in the first place

Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, is a hormone that controls keys elements of the reproductive system, from sex drive and orgasms to childbirth and lactation, as well as other aspects of human interaction.

Detox and cleansing is all about resting and caring for your body from the inside out, to give it a well-deserved break from the stresses of day to day life. Practiced for centuries by different cultures, detoxification aims to remove the toxins present.

Get Your Free eBook

Sorry to see you go!

Before you leave, how about you download this helpful Menopause Guide for FREE from us here at the Australian Menopause Centre. If you have any questions in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact us.